the RN imagines TF1 or M6 “buying all or part of France 2 or France 3” to no longer be “dwarfs” in the face of the digital giants

“We must have at least one large French group capable of competing” with “Amazon” Or “Netflix.” Guest of franceinfo Thursday June 13, Philippe Ballard, spokesperson for the National Rally (RN), explains why his party intends to privatize public broadcasting, if it arrives in Matignon.

“Nothing would stop” the TF1 and M6 groups, “if they wanted, to buy all or part of France 2 and France 3 to form a group”. “Faced with these behemoths [Amazon et autres Netflix]we can’t just have dwarves”, assures the outgoing deputy for Oise. In the process, it will be necessary “change the legislation”underlines the former journalist, who cites the aborted merger between TF1 and M6. “That would have been a good thing,” but “The Competition Authority said: ‘Too big, it will suffocate everyone'”.

“We will see the technical details [plus tard]”, explains the elected Lepéniste. It only specifies that the privatization of public broadcasting will not concern all its entities. “The external public service [France 24 ou encore RFI]” will be spared because “we must keep control”. “Everything related to the French Overseas Territories [les outremers]” will not be affected either, just as “TV5 Monde and Arte which have separate statuses”. Philippe Ballard wants “to reassure” public broadcasting employees. “It won’t be done with an ax,” he promises.